Clinical Practicum IV: PT-743

Method of Evaluation

The student clinical performance is documented using the Clinical Performance Instrument of the American Physical Therapy Association. Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviors consistently on “red flag “items. The Clinical Performance Instrument (CPI) documentation and mid-term comments of the student and clinical instructor will be the primary sources for assessment of student progress and proficiency in clinical practice. The CPI should be completed by the CI and a separate copy by the student at mid-term and again at the end of the practicum. These should be discussed and signed off on electronically to allow review by the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) at mid-term and final. Both the CI’s and the student’s self-assessment must be completed. The course is a pass/fail course. The clinical instructor and the Center Coordinator of Clinical Education will assess student competence. The academic institution will determine appropriate action for students that are not at the appropriate level of competency at the end of the practicum.

Satisfactory performance on a clinical experience must include:

Mid-term comments indicate satisfactory level of performance and no concerns were brought to the attention of the ACCE during the weeks following the mid-term.

No red flag items are identified as areas of concern.

Final performance is at entry level or beyond on all eighteen (18) performance criteria, unless clinic is in specialty area where entry level performance is not expected during allocated time frame for practicum.

Written comments on CPI do not indicate significant areas of concern.

Any concerns will be discussed with the student.

A student who fails to meet the required level of professional competency during any of the final clinical practicums (i.e. CP2-CP4) will not be issued a passing grade. Any student who is unsuccessful in earning a passing grade will receive a learning contract that will indicate the specific expectations and requirements to successfully complete the repeated practicum. The student may be required to remediate prior to repeating the failed practicum.

Indicators of failed performance may include the following;

Any "red flag" items that are of “significant concern” at the final evaluation.

Evidence in the form of written documentation demonstrating greater than 2 areas of “significant concern”.

Written comments indicating lack of progress over the course of the rotation.

Failure to achieve an appropriate level of performance on the CPI as described in the course materials and syllabus.

If a student has to repeat a failed or non-completed final clinical practicum, then/he she will have to register for an additional semester to complete the practicum. Any continuation of a clinical practicum beyond the date of graduation will result in the student having to register for the summer semester and paying tuition for the summer semester, regardless of the length of the practicum. Because this is a repeated course, the student will not be eligible for financial aid.

The options available for unsatisfactory performance at the final assessment are determined for each individual student and situation, depending on circumstances. If the student is unsuccessful in repeating the Clinical Practicum, no further clinical experiences will be scheduled and dismissal from the program will follow.